As the evenings darken and the chill of November settles in, the skies across Britain erupt in cascades of light and colour. Bonfire Night brings with it an unmistakable excitement - the smell of woodsmoke, the sparkle of fireworks, the collective gasp of wonder as each burst blooms and fades.
And yet, for many, this night of celebration also brings unease. The sudden noises, the unpredictable flashes of light, the ripple of energy that seems to fill the air - all can stir something deep within the nervous system. For those living with anxiety, sensory sensitivity, trauma, or simply a tired mind, Bonfire Night can feel more like chaos than celebration.
In yoga, we learn to seek balance - to appreciate light without being consumed by it, and to find stillness even when the world around us feels loud.
The Dance of Light and Shadow
Bonfire Night marks a moment in the year when darkness and light seem to converse. The bright flare of a firework against the night sky is fleeting, yet captivating - much like the thoughts that flicker across our minds.
In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra 1.2, we are reminded:
“Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.”
It is easy to feel those fluctuations on nights like these - the heart quickening at each explosion, the mind alert and restless. Yoga invites us to respond differently. Rather than resisting or retreating, we observe. We breathe. We remember that calm is not the absence of sound, but the steadiness we cultivate within it.
The Nervous System’s Dance
When we hear a sudden noise, our body’s natural alarm system - the sympathetic nervous system - sparks into action. Adrenaline surges, muscles tighten, the breath quickens. This is a primal response to perceived danger, even if we know we are safe.
The beauty of yogic practice lies in its ability to activate the counterbalance: the parasympathetic nervous system, which governs rest, digestion, and calm. Through steady breathing, slow movement, and mindful attention, we remind the body that it can return to ease.
Finding Stillness in the Noise
You don’t need to roll out a yoga mat or light incense to find stillness on Bonfire Night. You only need a few moments of awareness.
Try this short practice if the world feels too loud:
- Grounding: Sit or stand with your feet firmly on the floor. Feel the earth beneath you.
- Soothing breath: Inhale gently for four counts, exhale for six. Continue for several rounds, letting your shoulders soften.
- Sense awareness: Notice what you can see, hear, and feel - without judging or resisting it.
- Internal light: Close your eyes and visualise a steady, warm glow at the centre of your chest - your inner flame, constant amid the fireworks.
This practice is not about shutting the world out but about remembering your capacity to stay steady within it.
The Yoga of Compassion
Bonfire Night can be joyful for some and distressing for others. Our pets, wildlife, and neighbours may experience the night differently. In yoga, the principle of Ahimsa - non-harm - invites us to act with awareness and compassion.
We might choose to attend quieter displays, use low-noise fireworks, or simply pause to consider how our actions ripple outward. Compassion, in its simplest form, is mindfulness extended beyond ourselves.
Honouring the Fire Within
The bonfire itself holds its own quiet symbolism. Fire transforms - wood to ash, darkness to light, stagnation to movement. In yoga, Agni, the inner fire, represents transformation too: the spark of awareness that burns through illusion and fatigue, revealing clarity.
We can reflect on what this inner fire means for us personally.
- What do we wish to illuminate in our lives?
- What might we release to the flames - tension, resentment, overthinking?
- How can we keep our inner flame steady, even as the world crackles and shifts around us?
A Reflection for the Evening
If you find yourself watching fireworks from your window, or sitting with a cup of tea while others gather outside, you can make that moment a quiet meditation.
As the light bursts across the sky, watch each one fade. Notice the pause between sounds. Feel the echo settle in your body. The light and the silence are not opposites - they belong to one another.
Let each spark remind you that moments of brilliance are brief, but their memory can warm us through the longest nights.
Closing Thought
Bonfire Night, in its own way, is a meditation on impermanence -bright, fleeting, and gone. We can celebrate its beauty while staying rooted in stillness.
As the final embers fade and the sky returns to calm, may we find within ourselves a gentler light - one that glows quietly, guiding us inward as the darker months unfold.
